Page 11 - HH_11_25

Legal Briefs“Experienced Probate Nightmare? Avoid Probate With A TrustMBy Kathleen Cassidy Goodman, PLLCany people have a horror story regarding their family’s probate experience and an outrageouscost to probate the deceased family member’sWill. InTexas,probateisrelatively simple as long as the Will is prepare by a knowledgeableTexasattorney. Ifyouhave an out-of-state Will or a “homemade” Will, then your family may face some probate problems.However, those who have faced probate problems usually seek to avoid the time and expense of probate. One method to avoid probate pitfalls, is a Trust. In my experience, one a family member has a Trust, the subsequent generations always resort to a Trust too. If setup correctly and operated as directed, a Trust may greatly simplify the financial details following the death of a loved one.Additionally, a Trust is the method some parents, or a spouse, use to protect their loved ones from being taken advantage of or to protect their beneficiaries from themselves. While a Will is used to transfer your assets to individuals upon your death, a Trust can contain provisions that limit the amount of money a beneficiary is to receive. You can even set out the method to disburse your gift to them over time.You may have concerns about a beneficiary’s ability to manage his or her“ Need New Insurance?, I NOAH Guy”Serving Helotes & Surrounding AreasAuto • Life • Homeowners Health • Renters • BusinessNoah Pierce State Farm Insurance(210) 999-5534Mon. - Fri. 9am - 5pm9708 Business Parkway Suite 112Helotes, TX 78023 www.myagentnoah.comWhat’s Its Current Value?• Insurance Appraisals• Appraised While You Wait & Watch • Fair Market Appraisals• Estate Appraisals• Over 35 Years of Jewelry ExperienceSchedule An Appointment!12274 Bandera Road, Ste. 236www.sanantoniojewelryappraisers.com210-316-8758affairs, or you may have a vulnerable child. With a Trust you can limit a beneficiary’s ability to access all of their inheritance all at one time. You can distribute a small amount of a beneficiary’s inheritance at regular intervals, to prevent them from making bad choices or being taken advantage of by others.Another valuable benefit of a Trust is that a Trust is not normally filed with the Courts and the details and the amount of your estate may be kept private. Yes, a Trust is more expensive initially, but if properly prepared and operated during your life, your beneficiaries will be able to avoid probate and the associated fees.Kathleen Cassidy Goodman is an attorney in areas of estate planning, probate, civil litigation, and business law. She can be reached at her office in Helotes at (210) 949-1000 or for more information, visit www.bexarlaw.comA Sweet Side To Pass Around The HolidayDinner TableA Helotes Legend Retires: CelebratingTony MoradoTSubmitted By Kasey Crickhis fall, Helotes Elementary bids a fondfarewell to a true campus icon, Assistant Head Custodian Tony Morado, who is retiring after an extraordinary 47 years of dedicated service.Tony’s connection tothe school runs deeperthan almost anyone’s—he didn’t just work here;he’s one of our own! Tonywas a student at HelotesElementary before hebegan his nearly five-decade career on our staff. For generations of students, teachers, and staff, he’s been a constant, comforting presence, a friendly face always ready with a smile and a helping hand.From the early mornings meticulously preparing the campus to the quiet evenings ensuring everything was pristine, Tony’s commitment has been unwavering. He leaves behind a legacy defined by his impeccable work ethic, his ability to fixDBy Staffparticularly true when hosting a potluck- style dinner for family and friends. Such an arrangement, which typically sees hosts prepare the main course and guests bring side dishes and desserts, can remove a lot of responsibility from hosts’ shoulders and afford them more time to mingle with their loved ones.Those tasked with crafting a delicious side this holiday season can build their offering around a popular and seasonal main ingredient like sweet potatoes. This recipe for “Sweet Potato Mash” from Lines+Angles fits that bill and is sure to please everyone around the holiday dinner table this year.Sweet Potato MashServes 44 large sweet potatoes, peeled.4 tablespoons butter1 sprig coriander, or parsleyFreshly ground pepper and salt1. Cut the potatoes into large chunks and cook in boiling salted water until tender, about 14 to 18 minutes.2. Drain thoroughly, then set the pan over a low heat and shake the pan to drive off any excess moisture.espite their name, side dishes have a tendency to take center stage come the holiday season. That’sanything, and his infectious sense of humor. His impact on our positive learning environment is immeasurable.As Tony steps into a well-deserved retirement, we invite the entire community to celebrate his remarkable career and thank him for his extraordinary dedication. Please join us at the Helotes Beer Garden in Old Town Helotes on November 20th from 5 to 7 PM. Come share your favorite memories and wish Tony all the best!3. Mash thoroughly with the butter until smooth, then season generously with salt and pepper and serve with a garnish of coriander.November 2025www.heloteshighlights.com11RegisteredGemologist Appraiser